The state of so-called "justice" in our beloved United States of America - These are some real life examples.

We thought we might compare the way that society rewards those who fight
and die for their country with the way the court system compensates
"victims." Here goes:

"If the veteran, as the result of service-connected disability, has
suffered the anatomical loss or loss of use of one or more creative organs,
or one foot, or one hand, or both buttocks, or blindness of one eye, having
only light perception, or has suffered complete organic aphonia with
constant inability to communicate by speech, or deafness of both ears,
having absence of air and bone conduction, the rate of compensation
therefor shall be $70 per month for each such loss but in no event to
exceed $3,093 per month." --United States Code, Title 38, Section 1110(k)

To translate from the legalese, if a soldier stepped on a mine and had his
foot blown off, being maimed for life, he would receive $70 per month. If
he lost one hand, one foot, one ear, complete loss of hearing, and both his
buttocks were blown away he would receive an amount "in no event to exceed
$3,093 per month."

On the other hand, if they were a navy aviator like Paula Coughlin and
they were "harassed" as part of the Tailhook scandal, then their compensation
would be $5 million. Coughlin was not physically injured, but suffered
"psychological trauma." (This award was upheld by an appeals court jury.)

"If the veteran, as the result of service-connected disability, has
suffered the anatomical loss or loss of use of both feet, or of one hand
and one foot, or is blind in both eyes, with 5/200 visual acuity or less,
or is permanently bedridden or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid
and attendance, the monthly compensation shall be $2,207." --United
StatesCode, Title 38, Section 1110(l)

On the other hand, Alonzo Jackson was awarded $850,000 when an Eddie Bauer
security guard forced him to remove a shirt the guard thought was stolen.
Jackson cried on the stand when he reenacted the trauma of removing his
shirt for the jury. Two friends of the crying boy (who were forced to
stand in a corner) were each awarded $75,000.

"If the veteran, as the result of service-connected disability, has
suffered the anatomical loss or loss of use of both arms at levels, or with
complications, preventing natural elbow action with prostheses in place,
has suffered the anatomical loss of both legs so near the hip as to prevent
the use of prosthetic appliances, or has suffered the anatomical loss of
one arm and one leg so near the shoulder and hip as to prevent the use of
prosthetic appliances, or has suffered the anatomical loss of both eyes, or
has suffered blindness without light perception in both eyes, the monthly
compensation shall be $2,768." --United States Code, Title 38, Section 1110(n)

Like Alonzo Jackson, four female employees at a Hardee's were also forced
to remove some clothing by their female supervisors as part of a search for
stolen money. The four women were awarded $901,900.

What about a soldier who makes the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and
dies in battle? How is his family compensated for the loss? Depending on
the soldier's rank, his grieving family may receive anywhere from $769 per
month to $1,636 per month.

On the other hand, the parents of Sergio Jiminez were awarded $262,500,000
as a result of the death of their six-year-old. Mr. and Mrs. Jiminez did
not put their child in a seat belt, and they may have run a red light
leading to the accident. The South Carolina jury thought that Chrysler did
not adequately design a latch on the Jimenez's minivan.

To summarize, if veterans serving their country:

* Lose a hand or foot they get $70 per month.
* Go blind or lose both feet or both hands: $2,207 per month.
* Lose both legs: 2,768 per month.
* Die: Maximum of $1,636 per month for surviving family.

On the other hand, if you're a woman or minority and you can get "victim
status" the awards are dramatically different:

* If you're a female officer harassed by your fellow officers: $5,000,000.
* If you're black and you cry because you had to take off your shirt in public: $850,000.
* If you're a woman and had to take off your shirt in private: $225,475.
* If you're Hispanic, don't put your child in a seat belt, run a red light, and the child dies: $262,500.